Tree-Climbing Lions

Seeking out the famous tree-climbing lions is one of the most sought-after wildlife experiences in Uganda, and a genuine highlight of any visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lions don't usually climb trees, which makes this behaviour so special, and it's seen in only a couple of places on earth. In the remote southern Ishasha sector of the park, prides of lions can regularly be found draped languidly across the branches of large fig and acacia trees, front paws and tails dangling as they doze in the afternoon heat. Various theories explain the habit, from escaping the biting insects and the heat of the ground to gaining a better vantage point over the plains and their prey, but whatever the reason, the sight of a lion lounging high in a tree is unforgettable. Tracking them takes a little patience and the expert eye of a guide who knows their favourite trees, but the reward is a rare and remarkable encounter. Ishasha's off-the-beaten-track location also makes it a peaceful, uncrowded corner of the park, often combined with a journey between Queen Elizabeth and the gorillas of Bwindi.